Iranian president says country wont surrender as he accuses US of targeting civilians

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed his country would not yield to the US and Israel, striking a defiant tone as fighting threatened two of the Middle East’s most critical shipping routes.“Iran has successfully stood against Israel and the US,” Pezeshkian said late Friday while addressing a gathering of religious leaders in New Delhi.“Since we are seeking truth and justice, we will not yield in front of bullying arrogance.”The Iranian leader also accused the US of targeting civilians.“If Americans are warriors, let them face our valiant military forces,” Pezeshkian wrote on X.“Why wage war on civilian infrastructure, food supplies, and livelihoods?”“If they’re human, why deny people access to water, food, and medicine?” he continued.“Our people can’t be bullied into submission.

Iran won’t surrender.”The Iranian leader’s remarks came ahead of the weekend BRICS Summit in India and days after President Trump defended Washington’s military campaign against Tehran.“If I had it to do again, I would do exactly what I did,” Trump said Thursday, arguing Iran posed a threat to Israel, the Middle East and US cities.Pezeshkian’s tough talk came as Iran simultaneously engaged in a burst of diplomacy over a conflict that has increasingly threatened global energy supplies and maritime trade.Iran and the United Arab Emirates on Saturday backed a joint BRICS declaration expressing “deep concern” over the continued escalation in the Middle East and urging restraint, even as relations between the two countries have deteriorated during the war.Pezeshkian also met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed on the sidelines of the summit, as regional governments sought to prevent the fighting from spreading further.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met Pezeshkian on Friday, underscored the need to protect seafarers, maintain freedom of navigation and safeguard maritime commerce.Modi also reiterated India’s call...